APPLY
The application for the 2025 Bank of America Chicago Marathon is closed. The application for guaranteed or non-guaranteed entry to the 2026 Bank of America Chicago Marathon will open at 10 a.m. (U.S. Central Time) on Tuesday, October 21.
The application will close four weeks later at 2 p.m. (U.S. Central Time) on Tuesday, November 18.
The 48th running of the Bank of America Chicago Marathon will take place on Sunday, October 11, 2026.
Please continue reading for more information about the 2026 application process and to sign up for the Mile-by-Mile e-newsletter to be notified when applications open.
APPLICATION FOR A NON-GUARANTEED ENTRY (DRAWING)
Individuals not eligible for a guaranteed entry can apply for a 2026 Bank of America Chicago Marathon entry through the non-guaranteed entry drawing application.
At the conclusion of the application window, names will be selected from the full pool of non-guaranteed entry applications. Submitting multiple applications will not increase your chances of receiving an entry. Prior to the drawing, the event will remove all duplicate applications.
Applicants will be notified via email of their entry status on Thursday, December 11. If an applicant receives an entry through the drawing, the entry fee is automatically processed.
Individuals who apply for, but do not receive, an entry through the drawing may still register by opting to run for select official charities or tour operators.
GUARANTEED ENTRY APPLICATIONS
The Bank of America Chicago Marathon offers several opportunities for individuals to access a guaranteed Chicago Marathon entry. To gain access to a guaranteed entry, applicants must agree to the terms of the entry or qualify for the entry.
Access to guaranteed entries is only available during the application window (Tuesday, October 22 to Tuesday, November 18).
All applications are reviewed and verified by the Bank of America Chicago Marathon. Upon completion of this process (which can take up to 10 business days), individuals are notified via email of their approval status. If the application is approved, the entry fee is automatically processed. If the application is not approved, the entry is automatically switched to a non-guaranteed entry application and the applicant is entered in the drawing.
- TIME QUALIFIER
If you meet the marathon qualifying standards outlined below you can guarantee your spot in the 2026 Bank of America Chicago Marathon as a time qualifier.
Age group Men Women Non-binary 16 – 34 2:50:00 3:20:00 3:20:00 35 – 39 2:55:00 3:25:00 3:25:00 40 – 44 3:00:00 3:30:00 3:30:00 45 – 49 3:10:00 3:40:00 3:40:00 50 – 54 3:15:00 3:50:00 3:50:00 55 – 59 3:25:00 3:55:00 3:55:00 60 – 64 3:40:00 4:15:00 4:15:00 65 – 69 3:55:00 4:30:00 4:30:00 70 – 74 4:15:00 4:45:00 4:45:00 75 – 79 4:30:00 5:00:00 5:00:00 80 and over 4:50:00 5:20:00 5:20:00 Registration requirements
- Applicants must submit results records for a marathon completed on or after January 1, 2024. The results documentation must include a finish time completed within the qualifying time standards and division (men, women or non-binary).
- Documentation submitted outside of the qualifying standards will not be considered.
- Documentation submitted outside of the division (men, women or non-binary) you are applying for will not be considered.
- Finish times at race distances other than a marathon, such as a half marathon or 50K, will not be considered.
- A verifiable time is one run on a course certified by USA Track & Field (USATF), World Athletics or a similar governing association; considerations will not be made for non-certified races, weather or course conditions.
- The qualifying times above are based upon each athlete’s age on the date of the 2026 Bank of America Chicago Marathon (October 11, 2026).
- The standards introduced for non-binary applicants are inclusive of the qualifying times for the two previously existing divisions. Applicants can expect standards to adjust in the coming years as data becomes available to help inform future qualifying times. Discussions with non-binary athletes are ongoing, with the goal of creating more inclusive event experiences.
- LEGACY FINISHER
If you have finished the Bank of America Chicago Marathon five or more times within the last 10 years you can guarantee your spot in the 2026 Bank of America Chicago Marathon as a legacy finisher.
- Chicago Marathon finishes prior to 2015 will not be considered.
- 2020 Bank of America Chicago Marathon registered participants will be considered a 2020 finisher for this legacy application path.
- 2020 Bank of America Chicago Marathon Virtual Experience finishes will not be considered.
- Years (2015-2019 and 2021 – 2025) in which someone signed up for, but did not finish, the Chicago Marathon will not be considered.
- Finishes at marathons other than the Chicago Marathon will not be considered.
- CHARITY
Individuals who are interested in running and fundraising on behalf of an official event charity can guarantee their spot in the 2026 Bank of America Chicago Marathon. Charity program entries are available on a first-come first-served basis until Tuesday, September 15, 2026, or when the charity has reached its capacity, whichever comes first.
Each charity manages its own unique charity team, participant benefits and fundraising requirements. While fundraising requirements may vary from charity to charity, participants are required to raise no less than $2,200 (USD).
Only charities that are part of the official Bank of America Chicago Marathon Charity Program have access to guaranteed entries.
If you are interested in running for charity you should contact the charity of your choice via the Charity Index.
- TOUR OPERATORS
If you are interested in traveling and running with a tour operator, you can guarantee your spot in the 2026 Bank of America Chicago Marathon.
- Each tour operator manages its own unique tour.
- Tour operators typically offer participants a package that includes cost of entry, air travel, hotel, etc. and vary between tour operators.
- Only tour operators that are part of the official Chicago Marathon Tour Operator Program have access to guaranteed entries.
- Not all countries have approved Chicago Marathon tour operators.
- If you are interested in joining a tour, you should contact the tour operator of your choice.
More information on this application will be available soon.
Please note, this application will remain open through Sunday, August 16, 2026.
- BANK OF AMERICA CHICAGO DISTANCE SERIES
If you completed all three 2025 Bank of America Chicago Distance Series events (Shamrock Shuffle 8K Run, Chicago 13.1 and Chicago Marathon), you can guarantee your spot in the 2026 Bank of America Chicago Marathon.
Eligible individuals will receive an email with instructions on how to access their entry. If you’re eligible for this entry path and didn’t receive an email, please contact the event by emailing office@chicagomarathon.com.
- 2025 CANCELLED ENTRY
If you successfully completed the process to cancel your 2025 Bank of America Chicago Marathon entry to 2026 through our standard event policy, you must submit a 2026 application to guarantee your spot in the 2026 Bank of America Chicago Marathon. Participants will be required to pay the entry fee again.
Eligible individuals will receive an email with instructions on how to access their entry. If you’re eligible for this entry path and didn’t receive an email, please contact the event by emailing office@chicagomarathon.com.
- PREGNANCY AND POSTPARTUM POLICY
If you successfully completed the process to cancel your 2025 Bank of America Chicago Marathon entry through the event’s Pregnancy and Postpartum Policy, you must submit a 2026 application to guarantee your spot in the 2026 Bank of America Chicago Marathon. Participants will not be required to pay the entry fee again.
Eligible individuals will receive an email with instructions on how to access their entry. If you’re eligible for this entry path and didn’t receive an email, please contact the event by emailing office@chicagomarathon.com.
Learn more about the Bank of America Chicago Marathon’s Pregnancy and Postpartum Policy.
- HIGH PERFORMANCE PROGRAM
If you meet the qualifying standards outlined below you can guarantee your spot in the 2026 Bank of America Chicago Marathon through the High Performance Program.
Qualifying standards Marathon Men sub 2:25:00 Women sub 2:45:00 Non-binary sub 2:45:00 Masters – Men sub 2:35:00 Masters – Women sub 2:50:00 Masters – Non-binary sub 2:50:00 Registration requirements
- Applicants must submit results records for a marathon completed on or after January 1, 2024. The results documentation must include a finish time completed within the qualifying time standards and division (men, women or non-binary).
- Finish times at race distances other than a marathon will not be considered.
- A verifiable time is one run on a course certified by USA Track & Field (USATF), World Athletics or a similar governing association; considerations will not be made for non-certified races, weather, or course conditions.
- Masters athletes are age 40 and over.
- Masters athletes must have achieved the standard as a masters athlete.
- The standards introduced for non-binary applicants are inclusive of the qualifying times for the two previously existing divisions. Applicants can expect standards to adjust in the coming years as data becomes available to help inform future qualifying times. Discussions with non-binary athletes are ongoing, with the goal of creating more inclusive event experiences.
- The program has a capacity of 150 participants.
- Registration for the High Performance Program will close on September 1, 2026 or when the program reaches a capacity of 150 participants, whichever comes first.
- Participants will pay a reduced registration fee.
PARA ATHLETICS PROGRAM
The Bank of America Chicago Marathon strives to provide accessibility for all athletes through our Para Athletics Program. Learn more about the Para Athletics Program.
CANCELLATION (BY YOU OR BY US)
Learn more about the options available to Bank of America Chicago Marathon registered participants if they choose not to participate or in the case of an event cancellation.
ENTRY FEE*
The entry fee reflects the cost and the resources required to stage a world-class marathon. Every dollar that is collected through registration is invested back into the event to help cover these expenses and to enhance the overall participant experience.
- U.S. residents (those who live in one of the 50 states, the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico or other U.S. territories): $250 (USD)
- Non-U.S. residents: $260 (USD)
Applicants must provide credit card information as a part of the application process. The entry fee is processed automatically when an application is approved or selected through the drawing.
When completing the application, please use a credit card that has an expiration date of December 2025 or later.
*A processing fee is applied to all entry fees.
EVENT REQUIREMENTS
- Participants must be 16 years or older on race day.
- Participants 16-17 years of age must have permission from their parent or legal guardian permitting them to participate in the race. This permission is required during the application process.
- The Bank of America Chicago Marathon requires that participants be able to complete the 26.2-mile distance in six hours and 30 minutes (6:30:59). The marathon course will reopen for public use on a rolling schedule based on this time limit.
- The sale and/or transfer of race entries/bib numbers is strictly prohibited.
- All registration fees and ancillary purchases are nonrefundable.
- All participants are required to pick up their own participant packet (bib number and timing device) at the Abbott Health & Fitness Expo during the scheduled hours of operation.
- All participants are required to show a government-issued photo ID that reflects the name they used to register upon picking up their own participant packet.
- Participants must adhere to city, state and other public health guidelines and orders.
- All participants must be familiar with and abide by the event rules.
If you have questions about registration, please email the Bank of America Chicago Marathon office at office@chicagomarathon.com.
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